The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-20
THE ARKANSAS RIVERS.
= CONDITION OF IMPROVEMENTS NOW
!. UNDER WAY.
Capt. Travers' September Report-Five
Snags and Other Obstruc-
lions Removed from Red Rivcr-Com-
plotting Surveys.

BUREAU OF THE MEMPHIS APPEAL, No.
bio FOURTEENTH STREET, WASHINGTON,
ID. C., Oct. 1S.-Capt. Travers' report on
the operations on the rivers in his district
during the month OF September has just
reached headquarters. 1t says in refer
ence TO the work on the
RED RIVER
above Fulton, Ark, that the ''snag-boat
Harry Breck was operated at the most
ia s,rlblc stage and removed during the
month 522 snags, destroyed five drift piles
and cut twelve overhanging trees. This
has been done at m expense OF less than
5000. Comment is unnecessary. This
record shows the superiority OF this model
for Il snlg-boat for such rivers us this one.
The least expensive steam propelled snag-
boat requires about $500 per month to
operate 1t, and such a boat is generally too
heavy TO get at the really troublesome
fnags, !. @. IN the extreme low water chan
mel. The arrival of high water about the
oath inst. rendered il necessary To sus-
pend operations, or the total would have
bNNb 'N'l " rilNHN ~ lilt llbllll. Inc
work has been carried from Fulton, Ark,
TO near the Arkansas and Indian Territory
boundary line. During the month of DC
tober the boat will be laid up in ordinary,
as after the fall rains once set in the water
remains too high for effective snagging
operations. No work will be done after
that, except to care for the property and
the records, until next low water season."
In regard TO the
/. ARKANSAS RIVER
the report says: AT Pine Bluff nothing
was done during September except TO care
for the property and records. As statedin
my last report, the deposits along the town
front have continued, and the present low
water stage show very satisfactory results
all along the works. There docs not mp
pear to be any likelihood that the contin-
gent fund will be drawn upon during Oc-
tober, except TO care for property. Nothing
was done at Fort Smith. the works there
being completed as far as seems desirable
at present. No rise having occurred in the
river, there has been no opportunity for
determining the effects likely 10 be pro-
duccd 10y the 500 feet OF pcrmcablc dixie
completed at Dardanellc in June, consc-
quently no further work has been carried
ON at that point. The suspension Of the
work involves no expense, and gives time
TO observe the effects Of the present works,
and thus 10 obtain the best results with the
sum available.
"a second dixie below the railroad bridge
Of the Little Rock d Fort Smith railroad
company waspractically completed during
September. The river il not ut the best
stage Tor working, and much trouble has
been experienced getting material dcliy-
cred 10y rail. These two reasons have led
me TO decide 10 suspend works in part Ia
collect material in advance. Labor has
been very Indifferent also, due IN part To
an erroneous impression that public works
are carried on in such n manner rs to carry
oil the idlCs that ran find work nowhere
else. About twenty feet Of dixie remains
10 be completed below The railway bridge
above mentioned, after which work will
be begun ut Eagle bend, provided proper
labor can be had and suitable cOncCntra-
ton of material is possible. The appro-
priation being small at best, and there hc-
inp ample time in which Ia usr IL Ia the
best advantage, Il j. not deemed advisable
10 hasten construction nj the expense OF
' sound economy. II will bc borne in mind
that the bikes M now built are only with
n view tu giving a three foot channel, and
w ~ ~ IN " FNAAANNN AAAlNNAh
ing to produce the live loot channel. In
connection with the work on the
WHITE RIVER,
Arkansas, q visit was made IN person 60
the reach of river from DcNalls blul 90
Newport, in order that the practical side
Of the question Of improvement might bc
examined. My last report sets forth In
detail the status Of the work from New.
- q. n.H.1. .l..la -. Nl.s "a g...l .nAN
b. referred Ia agaiH here. The visit a. the
rivcr developed the fact that q serious
obstacle tU navigation, In che way Of q liar,
exists ~ the DcNall's bluff railroad bridge.
During October steps will be- taken Ia ~.
move this. Work will be continued upon
thc plans and estimates for the permanent
Improvement, and M OF about the 10th a
dEughtsman will be- put 10 work upon the
completion OF the maps OF the surveys.
"ln connection with the work on
rErir a RIVER,
Arkansas, n writ was made to the bridge
over the river at Rocky Crossing 10 decide
upon the best method Of altering n IN the
interests 81 commerce and navigation
Data WIS collected ion u Special report upon
this bridge. which will bc prepared daring
October II possible.
"Undcr The head Of removing obsiruc
tons in the
Arkansas RIVER,
Arkansas and Kansas, the work 81 photo
~lithographing the reduced maps Of IN,
reach Of river from Little Rock 10 For
Gibson, Ind. T., was continued. Nothin.
= else was attempted for lack Of funds. Dur
ing October the same matters will be- for
wardcd. There Is n small balance lett to
reducing the maps from Fort Gibson {,
Wichita, Kaa. This will only be- cNpcndc,
when n dmughtsman can hc spared, b,
whom the work can be done at tee min